New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-02
SENATE OPPOSITION TO A COMMISSION.
SOME LEGISLATION OF LAST WINTER RECALLED
THE RFTAtJATIOy LAW

SOME LEGISLATION OF LAST WINTER RECALLED
THE RETALIATION LAW.
WASHINGTON, Sept tSpeeiaD. Three Englishmen and
three Americans the latter to be selected by Secretary
Bayad are to meet In this city before long to talk
over the Canadian fisheries question with the hope Of
settling that long disputed problem to the boundary
line between the United States and Canada Secrc-
tIy Bayard proposes II possible to bring about
permanent settlement Of the fisheries question, which
he will consider the crownng Of his diplomatic
experience. England and America have been in con-
troversy over the Canadian fisheries for more than
one hundred years, each country setting up certain
claims and positively refusing to concede inch
Of lecway to the other England has desire to go
to war with the United States a few fish, the
former finds the latter very profitable neighbOr and
Is too shrcwd to interrupt the commercial relations
isting between the two countries. Engllshmen now
run over to America and become rich, whle Amcrl-
cans flock over to England and become poor. Rather
than disturb these pleasant relations England is will
Ing to meet America halfway and tax tho matter
over. What the outcome will be one is prepared
to say but IL the representatives Of the two countries
reach an understanding 1t remains for the two Gov
ernments TO ratify their work. Mr.. Bayard declines
TO state whom he Will select to represent the Amerl
can fishing interests at the proposed international
sutaton, but he claims 10 have several In his minds
ego who vii uphold the dignity and look out for the
rights OF American citizens under all circumst ances.
q The foregoing is substantially statement author
zed by Secretary Bayard to-day. II seems to require
vclsy aud The recent proceedings OF tho lawmaldng
power thereon fresh In the minds of Tribune
readers 1t is not forgotten that when Mr.. Cleveland
In his special message Of December recommended
international tribunal TO consider and dispose Of the
question, the Senate, without whose advice and
sent any attempted action by the President Is farce
responded on April 10, 1856, with this resolution:
Resolved, That In the opinion OF the Senate, the
appointment of commission In which the Govern
ments of the United States and Great Britain shall be
represented charged with the consideration and settle
mont Of the fishing rights Of the two Governments on
the coasts of the United States and British North
America. ought not to be provided for by Congress"
The resolution was adopted by vote Of 80 10 10
and nine OF the affirmative votes We're cast by Demo
Gratis. That resolution ought to have been accepted
authoritative by an Administrator whose head has
bcn careful TO INFORM the country that the executive
Office Is eSscnta ly executive" But Congress went
further and passed act for the protection OF Ameri
fishery rights which Mr.. Cleveland signed THE
tribune at the time charged that tho Administration
opposed TO the measure that IL sought to defeat
1t by forcing the adoption Of an impraccablc plan,
and tha, the Pr sidcnt would execute the law
to which he had affixed his approval. Every one Of
these charges has been SubStantiacd No effort has
been made 10 execute the Retaliation law although
the President Is bound by his oath OF Office To that
the laws faithful ly executed II there bo no
emergency or condition which demands the execution
OF that law, what necessity is there for the appoint
ment Of an unauthorized commission to consider the
question To some people II may look "a though the
Tory Ministry at London and the Cleveland Admins
traton In Washington are playing into the hands Of
each